Re: Friendship Baptist Church - John M. Neal

According to “The Heritage of Polk County, Tennessee 1839-1997,” article #62, p. 30, “Friendship Since 1826…,” submitted by Wanda Carter, Church Clerk:

“…but the first two church books, covering the years 1826-1878, are missing.” “…early organizers appear to have included Rev. Samuel Short, JOHN M. NEAL, Drewry Wilkerson, Charles Crittenden…” “…in June of 1926…a detailed history of the church…was delivered by J.D. Clemmer…” “It is through copies of that speech that much of what we know about the early history of Friendship has been preserved.” “…in 1976…a history…“150 Years of Friendship,” (was) presented in booklet form.” “It is that history which has provided much of the information for this particular vignette.”

Sorry to say that it is doubtful that you will ever see those records; I share your interest, as Charles Crittenden, who was a Deacon in the church, is my ancestor.

Brenda (Smith) Rayburn

Re: Friendship Baptist Church - John M. Neal

Some of the Friendship Church records are online at www.tngenweb.org/polk Others would be available at the Polk County Historical Society, Marian Presswood, President and you might also wish to check with the Polk County News as they have many historical and biographical articles for sale at very nominal prices. polknews@bellsouth.net

Your ancestor probably lived in McMinn county since Friendship was in McMinn until Polk was formed in 1839. The Hiwassee River formed some of the northern boundary of Cherokee lands until the Treaty of 1838 after which a strip of land north of the river was taken into Polk Co.